Concerns €2.5million Donegal Town Garda station becoming 'white elephant'

Concerns have been expressed that the newly-revamped Garda station in Donegal Town is becoming a ‘white elephant’.

A major €2.5 million refurbishment of the station on Quay Road, Donegal Town was completed in 2020.

However, following an incident two weeks ago when a Garda was injured while on duty, there are calls for the strength of the force in Donegal Town to be bolstered. 

“The feeling on the ground is that there aren’t enough Gardai as they are not seen,” Councillor Michéal Naughton told a meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) on Friday in Lifford.

“The new station in Donegal Town is closed more often than it is opened - and that needs to be looked at.

“There is high tourism in Donegal town and it is a popular entertainment venue at weekends. There is a huge number of people coming into Donegal Town on a weekly basis, but the feeling on the ground is that we don’t have enough Gardai.

“A Garda was injured in the town and this station takes in a big area. We need an open station in Donegal Town.”

Mary McGowan, a PPN representative, said she passes the station ‘several times a day’ and notes that the door is closed ‘a lot of the time’.

“We need to look at the number of hours Donegal Town Garda Station is open for. There is a need for Gardai in this area.”

Superintendent Karen Duffy said the station provides ’24-7b cover’ while two Garda staff members look after the public office on a daily basis.

Councillor Naughton said he begged to differ, adding: “People have said on numerous days that they have rang the doorbell and received no assistance. When the door is closed, it gives off the impression that it is closed. I hear this at every meeting I go to.

“People are calling this a white elephant now.”

Superintendent Duffy said she will address the matter of when the door to the station is opened